Luis Sojo

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Luis Sojo bigraphy, stories - Baseball player

Luis Sojo : biography

January 3, 1966 –

Luis Beltrán Sojo Sojo ( ; born January 3, 1966 in Petare, Miranda State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball infielder and right-handed batter. He is currently managing the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Yankees, of the Florida State League.

In his career, Sojo filled a role as a utility infielder for the Blue Jays, Angels, Mariners, Pirates and, most notably, for the Yankees.

Return to the Major Leagues (2003)

2003 was a unique year for Sojo. Having left the Navigators, Sojo was invited to the Yankees Old Timers Day. During the annual Old Timers’ Game, he hit the game-winning home run off Ron Guidry. Later that season, the Yankees resigned him as an active player, and he appeared in three games to conclude the season. He may be the only Yankee (or overall player) in history to play in an Old Timers Game and later a regular season game in the same year.

In 13 seasons, Sojo batted .261 (671-for-2571) with 36 home runs, 261 RBI, 300 runs, 103 doubles, 12 triples, and 28 stolen bases in 848 games.

Post playing days

After his playing career, he served as the New York Yankees third base coach for the 2004 and 2005 seasons, after which he would serve as manager for the Class A Advanced Tampa Yankees from 2006 to 2009, before being relieved on Feb. 2, 2010. Sojo also managed the Venezuelan national baseball team in the 2006, 2009, and the 2013 World Baseball Classic. On January 10, 2011, the New York Yankees announced that they were bringing Sojo back to manage the Tampa Yankees.http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AodqIKQIZqTUq.r4eup0arkRvLYF?slug=ap-yankees-sojo

Highlights

  • Hit a two-outs bases-clearing broken-bat double against California Angels Mark Langston to lead Seattle to its very first AL West division title, with four runs scoring on the play: Sojo took third on the throw to the plate, and scored after the frustrated Langston’s relay ended up in the backstop (1995)
  • Hit .400 with one RBI in 10 post-season games [.800 in the WS] (1996)
  • Batted a career-high .307 in his first full season as a Yankee (1997)
  • Tied for second on the team with nine RBI in 15 post-season games (2000)
  • Drove in the World Series winning run (2000)
  • Became the first person ever to manage a minor league team to a championship and later resume his Major League career.
  • Five batting titles in the Venezuelan Winter League (.351, 1989–90; .362, 1990–91; .375, 1993–94; .376, 1994–95; .346, 1999–2000)
  • Was called ‘The best .200 hitter ever" by Yankees radio announcer John Sterling
  • Reached 1000 hits on Dec. 14/15 (around midnight) in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) with his team, Cardenales de Lara.

Skills

Not classically athletic, he was a natural shortstop in the minors, but took on an expanded role in emergency situations, initially and most commonly as a second baseman, and eventually as a third baseman, first baseman and left fielder as well.

Sojo had limited power and did not draw many walks, but he was a good contact hitter, especially for someone who made a habit of falling behind in the count during his minor league tenure. He did show an ability to put the ball in play with a low strikeout rate (one for 13 at-bats). Some of his great contributions came when going to the opposite field in hit and run situations and with infield hits. An avid bunter, he led the league in sacrificial hits in 1991 (19). Though not a threat as a base stealer, he was a competent base runner. In the field, Sojo had a good range and a good arm, showing quick hands and slick moves.

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays (1990)

He signed with the Blue Jays on January 3, 1986. Called up late in the 1990 season, Sojo played 33 games for the Blue Jays. He promptly went 18-for-80 (.225) and was then traded to the California Angels with a player to be named later (Ken Rivers).

California Angels (1991-1992)

Sojo played 219 games for the Angels over two years. In 1991, he had 19 sacrifice hits, a career-high. He was traded back to the Blue Jays after the 1992 season.